A Cooperative, Abolitionist Yoga & Wellness Studio in Richmond, VA
Healing is not a luxury. It’s a right.
About Us
The Clearing Space is a cooperative, abolitionist-centered yoga and wellness studio founded by Charles Bolling II and Rev. Jess Cook in Richmond, Virginia.
We offer affordable, trauma-informed healing rooted in liberation, community care, and cooperative economics. By blending nonprofit mission with cooperative operations, we empower practitioners and community members to co-create accessible spaces for embodied freedom.
Mission
To co-create inclusive, cooperative wellness spaces that empower historically excluded practitioners and offer trauma-informed, culturally grounded healing to communities most impacted by systemic harm.
Our Core Values
Why We’re Different
We blend cooperative structure, abolitionist practice, and trauma informed teaching to center real community care.
Trauma informed and abolition centered
Classes prioritize nervous system safety, agency, and consent based cueing. We teach for liberation, not performance.
Queer affirming cooperative with equitable pay
Our model shares power and resources. Practitioner pay is transparent and fair, and community voices shape decisions.
Rest centered practice
Yoga Nidra anchors our method so students move from high alert states into restorative rhythms for regulation and repair.
Partnerships and community
We collaborate with local organizations, therapists, mutual aid networks, and Black owned businesses to widen access.
Teacher development
We invest in continuing education and shared language through Liberatory Sequencing and ongoing Teacher Circles.
Membership Packages
Membership at The Clearing Space is more than access to classes. Your support funds free and low cost offerings for people most impacted by systemic barriers to wellness.
Seed
- 2 drop in classes each month
- Access to community events
- Priority invites
Root
- 5 classes each month
- 10% off events
- Voice in co op decisions through community feedback
Grow
- Unlimited classes
- 1 guest pass each month
- 20% off merch and events
- Wellness zine bundle
Sustain
- Unlimited classes
- Priority booking
- Special merch bundle
- Invitation to annual Visioning Circle
Nutrients
- All Sustain perks, paid once each year
- Great for those who want to give generously and expand access
Equity Fund Donor
- 100% of your contribution funds scholarships and mobile meditation hubs
- No classes included
Drop In and Pass Options
- $25 Single Drop In
- $90 Five Class Pass
- Pay what you can Community Class
- $150 Monthly Unlimited for non members
As a nonprofit and co op hybrid, higher tier memberships and donor gifts help fund reduced and free access for community members who need it.
Redistributive Care
Our Equity Scholarship Fund provides reduced and free memberships for anyone for whom $45 each month is not accessible. Support comes from higher tier members, donors, and grants. Access is offered without shame or stigma.
Our Focus
We center nervous system healing, community care, and liberatory practice in everything we offer.
Accessible, abolitionist-aligned yoga
Classes are trauma informed, choice based, and designed for real bodies. We teach for agency and collective care, not performance.
Corporate and community partnerships
Values aligned wellness programs with local organizations, therapists, mutual aid networks, and Black owned businesses.
Equity fund access
Reduced and free memberships for system impacted students, funded by donors, grants, and higher tier members.
Rest centered practice
Yoga Nidra anchors every class to move from high alert states into healing brain wave rhythms for regulation and repair.
For Teachers and Practitioners
Interested in teaching at The Clearing Space
We believe in shared language, trauma informed care, and abolition centered sequencing. All Clearing teachers complete our course Liberatory Sequencing: Building Trauma Informed, Abolitionist Yoga Classes before stepping into teaching at the studio.
- 10 hour continuing education program
- Foundations of The Clearing Method: Breath, Movement, Meditation
- Create accessible, liberatory classes for all students
After completing the course, you are eligible to join our Teacher Circles where practitioners co create programming, share resources, and shape the future of The Clearing.
More info: teach or work at The Clearing